Sans [ceuticals] + Kimbra Audrey

A brand with women at the very heart, Sans [ceuticals] is a collection of pure and clean seasonal products that contribute sustainable rituals to your daily beauty regime. Through a prescriptive approach the line creates a tailored routine that feels personal and appropriate.

Sans [ceuticals] holds dear the notion of collaboration, with inspiring women who kindle creativity and motivate change. This is an idea we keep close ourselves and an overlapping sentiment between our collectives. The following images are contributed by model and photographer, Kimbra Audrey, who now lives in Paris and only shoots on film. Nothing is more intimate to Kimbra than the truth of a self portrait. We are happy to share a series of images by the artist inspired by the beauty line.

Wellness: Chillhouse

The need for a day spa that fits neatly into an unpredictable city schedule has been satisfied. As we read the description, a downtown escape for city dwellers seeking a modern path to total relaxation, we have all the information we need to get us through the front door.

Chillhouse is a new day spa and coffee shop by Cyndi Ramirez, the queen behind lifestyle site Taste the Style and first lady of Den Hospitality (also including The Garret, The Lately and Dinnertable). Cyndi is as warm and gracious of a host as the spaces she creates. She is absolutely correct in the idea that city dwellers are looking for an escape that is just the perfect amount of time as our busy schedules will allow for.

Cyndi would know leading a tidy whirlwind life, proving you can have it all including an hour at the spa. Take a visual tour here and even better make an appointment here to try for yourself.

Wellness: CAP Beauty

Thinking about beauty from the inside out is the compelling philosophy for beauty wellness spa and store CAP Beauty. Natural beauty products that make an impact are often heard of through word of mouth and with all the options out there it’s pretty tough to choose which is the best fit for your personal needs.

Everyone’s beauty routine is unique and CAP is here to help. Through their holistic approach to spa treatments you are not only receiving a facial with their brilliant wellness advisors but you are embarking on better lifestyle choices. After your treatment of pure bliss with your inspiring advisor, you are kindly reached out to with a care plan. This note called your At Home Protocol is the key in helping maintain your new skin. Find your custom AM, PM and weekly maintenance routine neatly organized a simple incoming message. This plan is complete with suggestions of natural products, how to use them and which supplements might be best to incorporate into your diet. Here you are not only receiving a facial here but tools to a more mindful path to your most radiant self.

Of course everything starts from the inside but CAP conveniently has the best natural products in stock at their store and online to assist in keeping that vibrant glow well into your next appointment. The staff is beyond helpful to say the least, if it’s your first time request either Crystal or Cara both are helpful, patient and excited to help guide you on your journey ahead.

At CAP there is a commitment to research and updating standards to bring us the most truly natural products available. The healthful and life-enhancing products available on their shelves are some of the best curated for optimal wellness and beauty. This in addition to their thoughtful residency programs create a beautiful wellness space to be enjoyed by the community.

Founder’s Kerrilynn Pamer and Cindy DePrima were kind enough to share some of their insight for refined and inspired living.

When was the moment you realized beauty means wellness?

Kerrilynn: I think I've always known this inherently but when I found out I had celiac everything fell into place. I realized that the kind of beauty that I was interested in needed both beauty and wellness. For me, one can't exist without the other. Beauty needs wellness and wellness needs beauty.

Cindy: When I was a freshman in college my best friend convinced me to move to Aspen for the summer. We were in love with the great outdoors and if we weren’t working we were hiking, biking and soaking in nature.

Do you have a personal ritual to share?

Kerrilynn: My husband and I have herbs together at the beginning and end of our day. This practice has brought us much closer, we get to set the tone for the upcoming day and share all that happened at the end of our day while getting high on tea and herbs. The perfect bookends.

Cindy: On the urging of a psychic, I’ve recently quit eating sugar. She intuited that I should be eating a more protein rich breakfast and so smoothies are back in my life. My current low sugar version is this:

New York can become a bit of an energy drain at times, do you have a quiet place where you can re-energize?

Kerrilynn: I love being home by myself during the day. To me that's the ultimate indulgence, getting to be in our space with the quiet and bright light fuels me in a way that nothing else does. Also, we're right next to Prospect Park so if I feel like a walk, I grab my Beba (my dog) and go.

Cindy: The treatment rooms at CAP Beauty. An hour in there with one of our estheticians istruly transformative and rejuvenating on every level.

One wellness product you cannot live without.

Kerrilynn: My daily TM practice. And yoga.

Cindy: The yoga mat.

When you are home alone what's your favorite thing to cook for yourself?

Kerrilynn: These days I'm all about soups. Typically I'll make my favorite Cauliflower Soup recipe (on The Thinking CAP), add a side of Sauerkraut and I'm happy.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned so far?

Kerrilynn: Put one foot in front of the other while keeping your eye on the horizon. Also, do something you love. That will keep you going even when you're exhausted. If your mission is driven by your belief that what you do affects positive change, you'll always want to get out of bed in the morning. Unless you're having a bed-in. Which is another good lesson, rest when you need to.

Cindy:1. Go deep. Whatever you are doing, do it with conviction and commitment. Go deeper and farther than you think is safe.

2. If you are starting a new business, come to understand that money is energy and it will ebb and flow. You’ll have to spend it to grow and sometimes that feels reckless, but without letting it go, you simply can’t grow.

3. Whatever business you are starting you will be a copy writer. create a voice for the brand and be prepared to write and write and write.

The Now

Massage + Spa

To be honest, since we left LA not a day has passed that we have not thought of our time at The Now Massage Boutique. The treatments take place in a private cabana style setting with heated tables, soothing sounds of ocean waves and an optional Jiva Apoha soul-healing oil or soothing cool eye mask for beauty sleep. Awaking from our deep state of relaxation, it’s needless to say we were feeling complete bliss with a little help from this wellness sanctuary.

The Tulum inspired spa is affordable without sacrificing luxury. The Now’s massages begin at a reasonable $35 which makes it easy to indulge in some self-care after putting in those long life hours. The endless holistic benefits of making a massage priority - better sleep, less anxiety and improved circulation make it hard to resist the call of the table. Mind-body maintenance is something we are growing increasingly aware of and as the brand mantra states, ‘The next time should be now.’ You only have this moment once, so make it wonderful.’

Partners Erica Malbon and Gara Post share their own personal rituals and path to creating a beloved indulgence at an affordable price for everyone.

We love how The Now offers affordable luxury. It is so hard to find a place so calming and beautiful yet accessible. Can you share more on your path to creating this oasis?

When we decided to open The Now, a place for people to quickly and conveniently feel relaxed, we naturally thought about the times that we had felt the most calm and relaxed. Both of us grew up vacationing in Mexico and have really fond memories of our whole families being so calm and happy on those vacations. We really liked this idea of providing people with a quick vacation and drew on our memories of Acapulco and Tulum for inspiration. Everything, from the fabrics, scents and materials that we used to create the space are inspired by those vacation memories. We refer to this as our vacation state of mind.

What is one high brow / low brow essential you find important to everyday life?

Gara: High brow would have to be accessories. We love a good bag or pair of sunglasses. They make it so easy to feel put together when you don’t have much time, which as a mom you never really do.

Erica: For low brow, it would have to be a The Now massage of course. The best part is that it doesn’t feel low brow though! Massages start at $35 it won’t hurt your wallet.

Getting outside of our day-to-day routine from time to time is something we’re finding imperative to quality of life. What is your favorite place to travel to (near or far) to take a moment and re-focus?

Gara: I love to go to Punta Mita. It’s close to LA and my kids love it.

Erica: Tulum is still my favorite. I’ve been going there for the last 10 years. Even though it’s changed a lot, I still love to go there. I’ll check my phone in the morning and at night, but other than that I try to really disconnect.

Do you have a personal ritual that you can share?

Gara: I’ve been meditating for a long time. I practice Transcendental Mediation and really rely on it to help me keep balanced. Since launching The Now, I set my alarm at 5:30 am since I know it will be the only time for me to get in a good 20-minute meditation.

Erica: My husband and I like to go to work together and steal away for a cup of coffee at Republique. It doesn’t sound like it’s a big deal, but when you have two kids and each have your own business, it’s hard to find alone time.

What are some of the influences and inspirations you drew from when creating The Now?

We definitely drew on our memories of our childhood vacations in Mexico. Gara would go to Acapulco to her family’s house and every Christmas holiday if Erica wasn't in the Philippines went to either Acapulco, Playa del Carmen or Cancun.

Can you share with us any mentors or people who have helped guide you through your journey?

Both of our husbands have been incredible resources for us. They each have a lot of experience in starting companies, so they’ve been able to help us navigate all of the up and downs of being an entrepreneur. They know what it feels like to take the leap and do what you feel passionate about, even if it’s risky. They always remind us, risk is where the reward is.

Wellness: Soak it Up

Dry Skin Solutions

Signs of spring are beginning to show promise as we move away from frigid temperatures. Thoughts of warmer days keep rushing to mind but not without noticing the undesirable effects winter leaves on our skin. With the call of nearby beaches, sandals and skirts around the corner there is just enough time to invest in a natural skincare routine to get your skin moisturized, hydrated and ready for some sun. We’ve curated a list of reliable, locally produced products we can always trust to get our skin in shape.

Mullein & Sparrow Mullein and Sparrow are holistic products lovingly made in Brooklyn. We turn to Mullein and Sparrow to nourish and repair our skin throughout the year. The Complete Skincare Kit for Dry/Dehydrated Skin includes Frankincense Cleansing Oil, Rose Geranium Toner and a mini Rose & Frankincense facial serum - all powerful tools in fighting winter off winter dryness for balanced skin. The Rose Hydrosol helps your face relax through aroma and natural distilled essential oils and something we use every morning and night.

Malaya Organics We always look to Malaya when it comes to our body, face and hair. Our hair is often overlooked when the dry air settles but essential oils can be vital when it comes to maintaining silky and smooth hair during winter months. Try Malaya’s Hair Oil for both repair as a unique hair treatment and styling. When it comes to body oils when can’t stay stocked up on The Woods scent from this collection quickly enough. The scent is woodsy, clean, relaxing and your skin with feel luxurious with a natural glow. For problematic skin, we suggest testing the Rejuvenating Face Serum either day or night or both!

Earth Tu Face Earth Tu Face began with two herbalists, a garden and a focus on creating a purely plant-based natural skincare line. What you put on your skin is absorbed into your body and we want to take in all Earth Tu Face’s beautiful ingredients. The Honey + Coconut Mask is a fusion of antioxidant-rich raw honey, coconut, rose petals and lavender buds which work together to heal inflammation, tighten pores and plump your skin which all leads to an instant gorgeous glow. For body we turn to the Coconut Body Butter to hydrate and nourish and Organic Lotion with Rosemary + Salt for invigorating scent inspired by plants and fresh ocean air.